Portimao Tests: Supersonic Ducati, Day 1

The Supersonic Ducati team had a great day on track in Portimao, Portugal on Wednesday.

Maxime Berger made his official debut in the World Superbike circus and demonstrated an excellent performance in both tests. In the morning and during the second session held in the afternoon, partly disturbed by rain.

In the morning Maxime Berger performed a lap time from 1’45 "418, in the afternoon he managed to do even better going down to 1’44" 886. But it was not the objective of Berger, who has done a great deal of work with the team by making a total of 52 laps on his Ducati 1198. The tests will continue over the next two days and will be very important in preparation for the start from the World Superbike Championship.

Danilo Soncini (TM, Supersonic Ducati Superbike) says: "It was the first testing day, generally positive, which the team has completed the program that we planned. We had many things to try to define the best setup for our Ducati 1198 on this track.

"Maxime tried for the first time the "ride by wire" and the first impressions are good. Although he used a very hard rubber. We wanted to mount another tire to see a better lap time but there was not time enough.

"Today, Maxim Berger was confronted for the first time with the Superbike riders and I’m really satisfied with his performance and his fellowship with the team. We will try to keep it in the next two days."

Maxime Berger (Supersonic Ducati Superbike): "Today I really enjoyed myself and at the same time I worked a lot with my team. We tried several new components and assemble the final parts. I wanted to ride on a softer tire to capitalize on all the work we did today.

"Unfortunately there was not time, but we still have two days ahead of us. Overall I am very happy with my test today. I also tried the "ride by wire" and I must say that it is not easy to get used to this device, it is completely new for me.

"But I have to adapt as quickly as possible and use this device very good, it will allow me to improve my performance. In Superbike they push it even from the first minutes of testing and I certainly do not want to be left behind. I have a fantastic team and I want to give my best for them and for all those who believed in me and allowed me to get here at World Superbike."